Chairman Royal Caribbean Cruises, Richard Fain, said: “The arrival of Celebrity Edge today book-ends a major chapter in the growth of Celebrity Cruises.

“It’s the culmination of years of dreaming, designing and dedication to bring this magnificent ship to life.

“A new era is truly upon us.”

Adorning the decks as Celebrity Edge entered the channel for the first time, more than 1,400 excited crew members waved to a sea of shoreside colleagues who gathered to welcome the ship.

It was a fitting debut for Celebrity Cruises’ first new ship in six years and the first of a new class in more than a decade.

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Viewing the occasion from the bridge of Celebrity Edge with Fain, president Celebrity Cruises, Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, added: “The completion of her first-ever transatlantic crossing and arrival at T25 marks such an historic moment for Celebrity Cruises.

“This has been more than four years in the making.

“The collaboration and effort between teams across the world all comes together in this incredible moment. I can think of no better place to be than with Captain Costas and the crew of Celebrity Edge knowing that we are sailing into the future, literally and figuratively, with this beautiful ship.”

After the arrival of Celebrity Edge at T25, Lutoff-Perlo and Fain then hosted a grand opening ceremony in the new terminal.

Attended by key brand executives and esteemed local officials, the dramatic ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the official grand opening of the first terminal designed exclusively for Celebrity Cruises, dubbed the new home of modern luxury.